Superman: The Mad Scientist

[19seandel78]

@ 9:49...get your ass in there!!

[MrMovieguy11]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, WHOA! An orphanage?!  No, no, no... Superman was raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent. It was their guidance and Jonathan's death that inspired Superman to use his powers to save people. I love Superman and what he stands for, but that's a huge mistake.

[TheOneBeatleManiac]

MrMovieguy11, it was 1941 when this cartoon was made. Only 3 years after Superman appeared for the first time in Action Comics #1 in June 1938.

At the time, the Kent's weren't created, nor Smallville. That was the original story.

[Volf99]

ah my childhood

[vgmc7650]

I have some of these on DVD through Digiview Entertainment. Most, if not all, are irregular lengths. I wonder if that is why I've never seen them on terrestrial or cable TV? Might be hard to fit into a station's schedule unless they're "flexible". (Of course, that never stopped WKBD-50 (when Field owned them) from breaking up Popeye Meets Sinbad and Popeye Meets Ali-Baba into 3 parts.)

[JordenLuke]

Wow after all the stuff he destoried and countless lives he put in danger all he gets is jail. If I could ask superman one question it would be why did he save the evil's ass at the end. You know how much more it will cost just to house him in that Jail.

[Koyaanitsqatsi]

this animation is amazingly smooth for 1940

[nelsonjoey]

back when cartoons weren't so lazy

[XZXpm]

I wish I can give you a comment but I do not know Italian. Please do not be offended.

[enterGO123]

Trovo questa cosa ridicola, fare passare il più grande genio e inventore come un'antagonista. Ha cambiato il corso dei nostri giorni, dovremmo essere grati. E' proprio vero che era avanti rispetto ai tempi e lo sarà ancora per molto.

ps. Vi assicuro che quel raggio avrebbe potuto distruggere anche un tipo come superman

[srdjan455]

Wow

this is animations that has stood against the test of time 

[dstebbin]

Ok, we've got a mad scientist with a ton of resources at his disposal (how else could he afford the materials to build a contraption like that?) who is an enemy of Superman?

How can you NOT thing "Lex Luthor?"

[XZXpm]

@dstebbin That is a good interpretation.

[pikminpanic]

HOLY SH!T

This animation tops Snow White's!

(hopefully disney won't kill me for saying that...)

[Eternalduelist]

I remember my grandfather got me all these episodes on tape when i was 3. that was 20 years ago and i still love them.

[oldblueeyes182]

These are easy one of the most nostalgic cartoons ever. I remember waking up every morning waiting to watch Fleischer's Superman. Thank you so much for this!

[oldblueeyes182]

These are easy one of the most nostalgic cartoons ever. I remember waking up every morning waiting to watch Fleischer's Superman. Thank you so much for this!

[10INTM]

The guy who voiced the mad scientist also voiced Popeye.

[XZXpm]

@10INTM Thank you for the info. Would you mind if I base an info trick in a program I am working on?

[10INTM]

@XZXpm No.

[XZXpm]

@10INTM I respect your answer.

[BandakaKush]

I didn't know Louis could fly a plane! Is there anything she can't do?

[Assasin2]

@BandakaKush Yeah, NOT BEING A BITCH!

[AmericanNohbuddy]

@BandakaKush

She can't save herself when in danger.

[TheGreatZurEnRaah]

I love how once Lois decides she's going to take on the story she leaves the office and jumps into an airplane like anyone who's anyone knows how to fly an airplane HAHA Ahhhh I love these old cartoons they really were amazing, and you know, in my opinion the animation in this series is just as good as the Batman/Superman animated series of the 90's, you can really see the influence.

[Bauglir100]

Amazing! I like this cartoon, it's truly a noteworthy piece of history in the Superman mythos. And even 70 years later, it's still very entertaining to watch. The voice acting and animation are pretty damn good, too.

[XZXpm]

When you do, will you upload the series on YoutTube?

[PTSmash]

@XZXpm Actually, I know its up in the air as of now, but the plan is to place it on television and then onto dvd or blu-ray depending on how things stand at that point. It might be nice to post it on YouTube so more people can have access to it, but I would need to make a profit. You understand, don't you? I'll have to see how it goes. What do you think?

[XZXpm]

@PTSmash I completely understand. I am will to pay for it plus an additional profit.

[PTSmash]

@XZXpm Thanks, man. That really means a lot to me.

[PTSmash]

This cartoon was my introduction to Superman at age 5, and talk about an excellent first impression! This remains my favorite Superman cartoon and an inspiration to me as an animator. I long for the chance to produce a superhero series with as much drama, artistic detail, and musical power as this and the series that followed.

[XZXpm]

@PTSmash I like comicbooks and some cartoon series. See my comment for a question for you.

[voiceofallanger]

There's an episode where he fights the KKK.. How funny is that! :P I mean.. yes the KKK should bugger off but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be allowed to do that nowadays! :D

[fakkak12345]

wow i used to watch this when i was 2 years old.... nd i thnk it was on before i was even born... DAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!!!! cartoons like this were rlly nice

[XZXpm]

I am glad you enjoyed it.

[loughlin14]

I remember this. I used to watched that on VHS when I was 5 and now it's still plays inside my head after all these years! God bless this cartoon.

[saidestroyer]

I sometimes forget how SOLID was animation back then. Thanks for sharing this video!!!

[leftcoast67]

Even his pet bird is Evil!

[yonskii]

NOSTALGIA BOMB!

these cartoons are how i came to know Superman when i was little.

[SnowBlind853]

Superman can punch lasers?

Holy fuck.

[primarydominant]

@SnowBlind853 and Lois is a pilot?

[DevynRodriguez]

Thnks for posting. Definitely something worth archiving on the internet and making available to all!

[thelatexone]

this is excellent!!!!!!!!!

[librophile]

100 yrs ago, scientists laughed at Nikola Tesla's ideas & called him a Mad Scientist. His ideas were too advanced.

Today because of this great genius we have A/C electricity, the microwave oven, the radar, the radio, teleguided missiles, smart bombs, space probes, the "Tesla Electric Car" and the "death ray" i.e., the "Tactical High Energy Laser" beam weapon used by our militaries.

Nikola Tesla the greatest genius who ever lived & who gave us the 20th, 21st & 22nd centuries technology.

[swangonce]

These 'cartoons' are more exciting and dynamic than any of those dumb Superman movies with the late Chris Reeve.

[ScarTissue111907]

i don't care much for those either, apart from the first

[DARKLAW66]

So funny

[vitameat]

Some years ago, I bought a VHS tape from a company called VR {Video Rarities} that has each of the 17 Fleischer cartoons uncut, and in release order. Even the worst of them...is a masterpiece of its era and a good reason to keep a VCR even today. Also, it has a great George Reeves Superman commercial at end for Kellogg's Corn Flakes......Perry White wants his breakfast...he gets it NOW!!!

[4thDimensionFilms]

I dont really like the image of the 'mad scientist' becuase its actually based off of a real person. the man had severe OCD so he was a little bit crazy, but he was extremely contributing to our current technology. this image of him discredits what his real reputation should be and tragically, this was how people thought of him during his time. he is truely, a forgotten genius.

[swangonce]

Hahaha! You slay me! :)

[4thDimensionFilms]

what do you mean?

[10INTM]

The powerbeam-punching scene still fills me with sheer exhilaration because the timeline is:

8:04 - 8:12 : NOO!! SUPERMAN!!

8:13 - 8:16 : GET UP, YA' BUM!! YA' GOTTA FIGHT!! YA' JUST GOTTA!!!

8:17 - 8:18 : *hold breath and lean in closer*

8:19 - 8:23 : YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!

8:24 - 8:26 : (Through gritted teeth) YES!! YES!! YEAHH!!

[mindreaper21]

I had this when I was 3!!! I can't believe I still remember this exact cartoon, wow!

[AbyssalZones]

I don't believe it! He isn't human!

What was your first clue?

[brayrobin]

Directed by Dave Fleischer, brother of the legendary Max Fleischer (who serves as producer), this animated short film was the first cinematic adaptation of the classic comic book Superman.

over the course of three decades. In this first adventure, Clark Kent must turn into his alter-ego Superman and save the people of Metropolis from certain doom at the hands of a maniacal scientist with a deadly energy cannon.

[MarkArandjus]

What an amazing toon for its time.... hell this is amazing compared to most of the wastern crappy toons out there today!

[cambaprecoz]

Supes: "This looks like a job for Superman!"

Chief: "What's that, Clark?"

Supes: "Erh, I'm going to the men's room!"

[filipxcom]

nice one :D hahah lol

[cambaprecoz]

Is not just COLOR.

It's TECHNICOLOR.

Hahaha, take that, original Spidey's toon.

[angoleirodvgr]

I never heard Nikola Tesla's name mentioned: only the Mad Scientist. I guess they assumed it was him for haveing an electric ray.

[Kinemacolour]

Wow. It's hard to believe that Superman was actually super at one time.

They should have left his line in. It just shows he's a chivalrous guy.

[HomeoftheGoodGuys]

They just cut the Paramount logo at the beginning and at the end of the cartoon.

[ThomasJeromeNewton]

next time the mad scientist should take over metropolis then write a note to superman

[asocedo]

very good

[redruth1955]

A mad scientist kidnaps Lois Lane in this first Superman cartoon and Superman must stop Lois Lane and the Mad Scientist.

[Supereyes27]

Man this is good.

[deadlyshoesalesman]

For those interested in such trivia:

*This version features the "enhanced" 1998 sound design WinStar Entertainment created for DVD under the banner of the Feel the Sound Theater Experience.

*One of the lines was censored, probably in the 1990s. Clark Kent is supposed to say, "Chief, don't you think that's a dangerous mission for a girl?" The phrase "for a girl" has been cut out.

[swangonce]

*One of the lines was censored, probably in the 1990s. Clark Kent is supposed to say, "Chief, don't you think that's a dangerous mission for a girl?" The phrase "for a girl" has been cut out.

--------------------

That was such a candy-ass thing for them to do....especially since CK was right. :)

[litlgrey]

Wouldn't that line have been restored during the DVD remasters?

[XanderRcage]

oh my god i had this vhs tape with this cartoon on it

[Jeark]

Such a great cartoon. The animation is still beautiful and the musical theme surely inspired John Williams for the movies ! :D

[datriadx18]

oh geez... memories. I think this and ruby spears 1988 superman cartoons are a cut above bruce timm's effort. No offense to mr timm of course... Batman: TAS is quite simply amazing.

[CheetahFoxx]

As a kid, I always rooted for the scientist. I wish they would've tried to make one that was not evil but actually mad (talking to lightbulbs and and seing faces). A womman mad scientist would also have been a clever twist.

[obscenegesture66]

How sad is it that this early 1940's cartoon looks way better than any crap cartoon now a days? The art and style was actually the inspiration for the ninties Batman animated Series. But this cartoon is almost early Walt Disney Material

[GOTHMIDNIGHTMERMAID]

I love the Bulleteers Superman cartoon that's 1 of my favorites & I love the animation work on this Fliesher Bros. Studios cartoon. Who provided the voice of Lois Lane?..

[Superfan402]

@GOTHMIDNIGHTMERMAID, Joan Alexander was the voice of Lois Lane in these early cartoons.

[GOTHMIDNIGHTMERMAID]

I saw this 1 allot. :)

[claudiall]

This cartoon was awarded the 33rd place in "The 50 Greatest Cartoons: As Selected by 1,000 Animation Professionals".

[GOTHMIDNIGHTMERMAID]

How did you know that claudiall? :)

[claudiall]

It's listed on Wikipdia. There's an article with the whole list. It's not completely accurate as I've been told, but still most of the works cited there are real classics.

[claudiall]

LOL, still to this date, probably the best version of Superman I've ever seen on a screen.

[generalbroly]

Unless Im mistaken???

[generalbroly]

I here some edited sounds in the background.......Nice :P

[PrussianSunsets]

That bird is evil incarnate

[PrussianSunsets]

I love this. These Max Fleischer cartoons are so amazing. They did this in 1941...amazing. it looks better than several modern cartoons.

[poxonyourusername]

That's because of the rotoscoping. Fleischer really knew what he was doing, it's beautiful work.

[cambaprecoz]

Rotoscoping, isn't that like the predecessor of motion capture?

[poxonyourusername]

Well, kinda, yeah. In rotoscoping, you first film someone doing something, and then you trace over those movements when you do the animation. Of course, Fleischer exaggerated the poses and movements a great deal during the process, and a lot of the things Superman does couldn't be rotoscoped because they couldn't be filmed, but it still enabled the animators to do pretty realistic-looking animation, both in terms of movement and of light and shadow. It's beautiful work.

[gordharris]

This is great, Thank you so much.

[MrsHowl]

lol you hit those rays superman!

^^

[vulcanjedi]

Cool. Just got this on a Popeye DVD from the dollar store :)

[Terrific20]

The one that started it all.

[PashaGolikov]

what a bullshit cartoon, truth and justice, lol

[darthbullwinkle]

Why don't you look at it as a piece of film/animation history and judge it in the context of the era in which it was produced? Sometime before WWII, not 21st century, post-Vietnam, post 9-11...

[songe55]

So, you don't like truth and justice? I kind of prefer them personally.

[fromthesidelines]

The beginning of the 17 Paramount theatrical cartoons {the first nine produced by Max Fleischer, the rest by "Famous Studios"}, released in the fall of 1941. Nominated for an Academy Award, too! Steve Muffati, one of the key animators, also drew Paramount's "Little Audrey" as a brief daily comic strip in 1951.